Paul Loughrey (Page 23)

Following the recent reports of Stainless Steel Studios closing its doors, software publisher Midway Games has released an official statement confirming the news.

Japanese studio Red Entertainment has undertaken a management buyout, reclaiming its independent status and severing most of its ties to Sega in the process.

Just four months after the new Montreal headquarters opened its doors, outsourcing specialists Babel has announced the employment of 100 dedicated staff members, providing full localisation services for North America and beyond.

Shanda Entertainment, China's largest online gaming company, has announced a change to its revenue model for existing and future MMORPG titles, following falling share prices and a decline in concurrent online users.

Launching in the US last week and entering European stores today, Microsoft's next-generation Xbox 360 console has reached US first week sales of 400,000, according to American Technology Research analyst, P.J. McNealy.

Digital Anvil, a company formed by Wing Commander designer Chris Roberts and acquired by Microsoft Game Studios in 2000 has closed its doors, as staff are redeployed to the MSGS headquarters in Redmond.

As part of an ongoing support project for UK companies looking to forge trade links with Japan, UK Trade and Investment is organising a trip focusing exclusively on the videogames market.

The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association has published a survey conducted at this year's Tokyo Games Show, revealing the gaming habits, purchase projections and next generation console preferences for the Japanese market.

Following a slow month for retail sales in November, Electronic Arts CFO, Warren Jensen, reports positive thanksgiving weekend but warns of further price cuts before the end of the year.

The Independent Game Developers Association has announced that submissions are now being accepted for the 2006 Game Developers Conference student scholarships.

The annual report card from the National Institute on Media and the Family has been released, showing poor figures for the enforcement of ESRB videogame ratings and evoking a strong response from retail body, the IEMA.

Stemming from the recent 'Hot Coffee' controversy in relation to adult content embedded in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Hilary Clinton will present her Family Entertainment Protection Act to congress in two weeks time.

EA plays the field once again, with a number of titles in the top ten. Multi-format street racer, <i>Need for Speed: Most Wanted</i>, races into first place; knocking <i>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</i> down two places to third.

UK media company and videogame magazine specialists, Future Publishing, has announced its preliminary financial results for the year, showing an overall revenue increase offset by substantial operating losses.

Videogame accessory and consumer electronics manufacturer, dreamGEAR, has announced several key appointments to its rapidly expanding executive management and sales team.

As the fallout from Blizzard Entertainment's merging of its North and South studios continues to settle, three former Blizzard North development staff have established a new studio called Hyboreal Games.

US trade body, the Entertainment Software Association, has applauded the decision to include parental controls in the next generation of console hardware, which has been adopted by all three manufacturers.

Just months before the scheduled release of its latest Real Time Strategy game, Empire Earth creators, Stainless Steel Studios, appears to have ceased trading, resulting in mass redundancies at its Massachusetts headquarters.

GameShadow has announced the launch of version 2.0 of its PC software management tool, which enables gamers to automatically detect and download patches, updates and additional content online.

Japanese developer Nihon Falcom has agreed a new business deal with developer and publisher, Marvelous Interactive, utilising its resources for future videogame and anime releases.

European videogame and interactive entertainment distributor, Skream, has announced the launch of its dedicated trade portal, designed to remove distribution bottlenecks for independent and chain store retailers.

Hot on the heels of the November 22nd launch of Microsoft's next generation Xbox 360 console in the US, Bill Gates has suggested that the ultimate victor in the latest console war won't be decided until 2007.

The Casual Games Association has confirmed the dates and venue for the European debut of Casuality, a two-day conference, workshop and networking forum focused exclusively on the rapidly developing casual games market.

JMP Productions has announced the first videogame symphony concert world tour, which begins in the US in 2006 and follows the resounding success of Final Fantasy music symphony, Dear Friends.

French publisher and developer Infogrames has released its half-yearly financial report, showing a marked decline of 52 per cent in sales compared to the same period in 2004.